the lens is very light and focuses quickly. 17mm is much more useful than many people realize

I have been consistently disappointed in the sharpness of this lens at all focal lengths, especially compared to the Nikon primes and zooms I've used

Given the expense of the Nikon version of this lens, I'm happy to have a zoom of this range, but I don't understand earlier comments praising this lens' sharpness

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 AF
Nikon 24-120mm 3.5-5.6 AF
Nikon 24mm AI
Nikon 28mm AI

price
faster than minolta equivalent at 17mm (and 1/3 the cost)
sharp for off-brand
veeeeeeerrrrrrrry wiiiiiidddddde
two aspherical elements
internal focusing

82mm filter (expensive)
cheap-feeling focus ring(non-issue)
somewhat slow AF on Minolta (i use MF usually anyway)

if you want a wide zoom, this is it. amazing 104 degrees takes in whole room from corner. much better than all other off-brand equivalents, much cheaper than camera brand. faster than minolta

Similar Products Used:

None

versatile, great focal range, fast for a zoom

poor performance with autozoom flash

This is a great, versatile lens for landscapes and interior shots. I have shot over 100 rolls with this lens since I purchased it and have not been disappointed in any way. I highly recommend the lens.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

nothing similar

lower price in this range of zoom lens
good image reproduction
high contrast and colour redition

the focusing ring turns around during focusing
auto focus doesn't work after a year I bought

it cannot be denied that it's one of affordable ultra-wide angle zoom lens with certain
strengths listed above.
however, the autofocus doesn't work when I checked the lens tonight.
i don't know what happened! I never fell it down, but it makes me 'down' now.
I've regreted to buy this lens because I have promised my friend to take the photo during
his show held on tomorrow. Even though, i can still do it with my other lens.
But the sigma one betrays me when i need it.

Customer Service

i need it now

Similar Products Used:

none

Super wide angle
HSM
fast 2.8-4 aperture
inexpensive for what you get!

Big filters cost big $
Because of the 82mm size, I have to carry it separate from my other camera gear until I get a bigger bag
Some distortion at the 17-19mm range (but that's common on super wide angle lenses)

Compared to the price of Canon's (and other's) comparable lens, you just can't beat it. I have experienced some distortion at the edges at the 17-19mm end, but this is normal for most zooms in this range. I recently used this lens on a vacation to the Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone NP, and Arches NP to great effect. It captures so much more of the landscape than similar pictures from my traveling companions' 28 and 35 mm range lenses and the pictures are very, very sharp. I have good results with the filters I have used although they are relatively expensive because of their size. Although it's an AF, for some situations you may want to use it in MF mode as once it's focused in AF, you can't override it.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 28-70 2.8-4 UC

Amazing Crispness wide open or tele end. Nicely made.
Super Fast HSM focus
Superb Low Light Performance.

So far NONE

An amazing buy with performance that eclipsed the Canon 17-35 2.8 in my side by side comparison at a store. I hope it holds up better than some have said as right now it is essentially perfect. This has to be the "preferred" lens for a realistic price on the entire market.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Canon 17-35 2.8L
Tamron 20-40 2.7

Price Small Sharp Dam-close to canon

HSM is a joke it clicks
HSM no way is it like Canon USM

This is the second time around with this lens and me. The first one the HSM moter failed on me after one year and I replaced it with a canon 17-35 2.8L. Well the canon is some were in the bottem of the sea I droped it on a shoot the fish must like it and I miss it. Im so pissed off that I droped it. Well thats were the Sigma enters in it is a really good lens I just hope the HSM moter will hold up longer than the first one did.
So far it is sharp and clear and at this price I can drop one and get one free and not worry. Buy it and you will be very happy I am but still pissed off I lost the canon L.

Customer Service

So So the guy in the US
cust. svc. center dosent speek english well.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 17-35